Out-of-gas motorist hit on I-10

A man trying to push his car on Interstate 10 after it ran out of gas early Saturday was fatally injured after an SUV slammed into his car and sandwiched him between the vehicles.

Jason Smith, 39, was taken to the hospital and died from his injuries late Saturday, said Cpl. L’Jean McKneely, a police spokesman.

At about 1:30 a.m. the Mercedes sedan had come to a stop in the right I-10 east traffic lane at Perkins Road when Smith jumped out and started pushing the car. That was when Sarah Raimondi, 37, slammed into Smith and his car, police said.

A 47-year-old woman was also inside the car and trying to steer it when the crash occurred. She received minor injuries.

Baton Rouge police dispatched in response to the stalled vehicle, but the SUV had already rear-ended the car by the time they arrived.

Police suspect alcohol was a factor for both Raimondi and Smith, McKneely said.

Raimondi, of 2618 Kelli Drive in Denham Springs, was arrested for DWI and negligent vehicular injuring.

Anyone with information is asked to call (225) 389-7819.

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